This is what the unopened factory packaging looks like. Since the sights arrive in a zip lock baggie, it is not tamper proof. Even though you can not use the packaging to date the age of the sights you can look at the sights themselves see the year manufactured.

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Dawson sights are available in many configurations to fit your mission.

Synopsis: If you have been in or around competitive shooting for any amount of time then you know who Dawson Precision is. They are the premiere manufacturer when it comes to adjustable sights. Check out the sights on the pistols of the best shooters in the world. Most likely they will be one of the many options Dawson offers. One common misconception about Dawson Precision is that they only manufacture sights suitable for competition. They make an adjustable night sight, unique to the industry, that works well for competition, duty or carry use. What makes these sights ultra accurate is that they are user adjustable for the pistol, load and user. These sights are constructed with the best materials available and ooze quality.

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From left to right: The front sight package, the rear sight package.

Here is all of the stuff that comes in the packages along with the sights.

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Dawson`s main inserts for their packaging. The middle picture is the same and is printed on the back of all the main card stock inserts.

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Dawson includes a handy step by step installation instructions.

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These are the tools that Dawson provides with their sights. From left to right. An aluminum flat punch provided to help you install the front sight. A small pocket flathead pocket screwdriver and a nylon tipped aluminum punch to help install and adjust the rear sight. The set screws come in their own zip lock baggie along with the proper allen key. Note that the baggie includes a reference to pay attention to #6 in the install instructions.

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Dawson tritium front. The top of the sight is stamped with the following information. The name Trijicon lets you know that Dawson uses Trijicon brand name tritium vials in their night sights. The “T” and “H3” are both symbols for the radioactive material Tritium. The number “10” is the year of manufacture (i.e. in this case 2010). Note Dawson helps you out by engraving an arrow on the front showing you the direction for installation.

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Dawson adjustable tritium rear. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation but requires a flathead screwdriver to make the adjustment. The underside of the sight is stamped with the following information. The name Trijicon lets you know that Dawson uses Trijicon brand name tritium vials in their night sights. the “T” and “H3” are both symbols for the radioactive material Tritium. The number “10” is the year of manufacture (i.e. in this case 2010). The underside is also engraved with XD designating which pistol the sight will fit.

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Some help with the installation and my disappointment.

In the tools provided section above, I show you the pocket screwdriver provided to help you adjust your sights. In all honesty take the provided screwdriver and hide it. This is an example of what separates a professional from a hack who will mangle your sights. A professional will use the proper tools. in the first picture

you will see the difference in the provided free screwdriver and the proper gunsmith`s screwdriver. Look at the width of the two screwdrivers and how they fit in the slot of the screw in the middle and right pictures. If you were to use the provided screwdriver you will gouge and deform your screw head. Basically the little screwdriver only applies pressure to a small portion of the screw head and will deform it. The Brownells Magna-Tip handle and flathead bit perfectly fit the head of the screw and should not deform the head at all. So even after being installed the sight still looks like it came from the factory. The Brownells screwdriver handle and bits are not the only option available though (although they are arguably the best in the industry). You can go to any Walmart, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Academy Sports etc and get a 31 piece starter screwdriver handle and bit kit for around 20.00. Believe me that kit is way better than using household screwdrivers and will include a bit similar to the one pictured.

(Place holder for future article on the difference in screwdrivers and hollow-ground)

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After you install the rear sight you will have to install the set screws. To do so you will have to remove the elevation adjustment screw on the top of the rear sight. Twist the screw to the left or in the direction of the up arrow engraved on the top of the sight.

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Once the top screw is removed you can lift up on the sight to reveal two holes for your set screw (far left shown with two arrows). Take the small set screws and allen key insert the key into the back of the set screw. Dawson recommends putting a dab of blue Loctite (not provided) on the set screw and then cinch it down in the hole. Do this for both set screws provided. Note take care not to torque the set screws too much because you will bend your allen key. Tightenthem just enough that they will provide a good hold but not bend your allen wrench.

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What does the sight look like installed?

Here is an example of a fine installation provided by us at XD-HS2000, of course. The Dawson`s were installed on a customers stainless steel Springfield Armory XD45acp Tactical.

Afterthoughts

From my experience with Dawson sights I can tell you that they can be tricky to install and may not be the best sights to try your first install on. Not that its impossible but the sights especially on XD`s are oversized and need to be fitted to the slide. Since the front sight is tall you have to take extra care to not break the blade and tip it over. If you use the punch and you don't fit the sights you will end up dinging the side of the sights and mess up the finish because you are hammering on them. If you take care with the install, these are some of the best sights on the market and I personally have used a fiber optic set for years. Quite frankly I abuse my competition guns and have even dropped the gun off my work bench on to the floor. You can definitely tell my sights are used and don't look to pretty but they have never lost their zero and they keep me shooting straight.